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How can we make Victoria more liveable?

Melbourne’s growing population is as topical as ever. Here, our experts provide their insights on the critical challenges that affect the liveability of Victorians.

Key Recommendations

Liveability enhances the health and wellbeing of Melburnians, as well as supporting productivity.

Walkable neighbourhoods are highly valued and underpin healthy liveable communities, yet current dwelling density targets in Melbourne are too low to achieve walkable communities. Walkable neighbourhoods would be better supported by a target of 25 dwellings per hectare, with an even higher target around activity centres.

Policies to promote liveability need to be supported by best practice, evidence-informed standards that can be measured spatially, with specific targets for implementation.

Housing affordability, local employment, access to healthy food and moderated access to retail alcohol outlets are critical aspects of liveability. Specific spatial policy standards and targets are needed for these liveability indicators.

By 2050, Melbourne’s population is projected to grow to eight million.

If Melbourne is to retain its reputation as being among the world’s most liveable cities, integrated planning is required across health, transport and planning sectors to promote liveability and walkability.

While liveability is a prominent policy goal in Plan Melbourne 2017-2050, policy implementation is presently failing to address health, economic and environmental inequities.

Liveable communities are safe, attractive, socially cohesive and inclusive, as well as environmentally sustainable, providing affordable and diverse housing close to public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure.

Residents should be able to readily access employment and education opportunities, as well as health and community services.

Liveability provides significant benefits to the economy and our community.

According to previous research, community engagement, health and wellbeing are supported through provision of public open spaces, recreational facilities and cultural events.

RMIT’s Dr Melanie Davern’s research shows that community health costs are reduced through enhanced participation in active travel and exercise, social inclusion and improved mental well-being

While these benefits are acknowledged in policies designed to promote Melbourne’s liveability, as detailed in Plan Melbourne, current policies for walkability, public transport and public open space would benefit from more clearly defined standards, more ambitious targets, and consistent implementation.

We examine specific policy standards with targets for implementation; the development of walkable neighbourhoods and provision of adequate public space; and the introduction of standards and targets for housing affordability, employment, access to healthy food and moderated access to retail alcohol outlets.

We know what makes for healthy and liveable communities, which in turn produces massive payoffs. But we often lack comprehensive policies and frameworks to deliver on the promise.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.